NHS to ban sale of sugary drinks and fatty snacks in hospitals
Hospital cafes and canteens will be banned from selling sugary drinks and high calorie snacks next year unless measures are taken to cut the sales, according to health officials.
The strict rule provides that sweet fizzy drinks, coffees made with sugar syrup and fruit juices with extra sugar will be restricted hevily in NHS cafes and canteens, according to the Telegraph. Retailers such as Marks&Spencer, WH Smiths and Subway agreed to cut sales of sweet drinks to a maximum of 10% of their total drinks output. NHS England warned that all sugary drinks will be banned if the voluntary target is not met in 12 months.
High calorie foods sales are also set to be restricted. Starting next April, 60% of sandwiches and pre-packed meals on sale in hospitals must contain maximum 400 calories per serving. The amount will rise to 75% a year later. Furthermore, 60% of sweets and chocolates should not exceed 250 calories and the amount will rise to 80% in 2019.
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NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “It’s great that following discussion with NHS England, big name retailers are agreeing to take decisive action, which helps send a powerful message to the public and NHS staff about the link between sugar and obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.”
Katherine Button, the co-ordinator of the Campaign for Better Hospital Food, declared: “We are delighted that NHS England has taken such decisive action to reduce the sale of sugary drinks in hospitals.
“NHS hospitals are trusted by patients, families and staff to keep them fit and well and NHS England is helping everyone to take a big healthy step in the right direction.”
Around 700,000 of the 1.3 million people employed by the NHS are said to be overweight or obese. Health officials have previously announced that measures will be taken in order to improve healthy eating in hospitals, such as axeing deals on sugary drinks and salty, fatty or sugary foods.
Rachel Clark, Health Promotion Manager at World Cancer Research Fund, said: “Sugary drinks are a big contributor to the nation’s obesity epidemic and they contain little nutritional value.
“With 62 per cent of English adults being overweight or obese, it is encouraging to see NHS England taking steps to reduce sugary drink consumption across England. Hospitals should be leading by example to make the healthier choice the easy choice.”
England will be the second country in the world to introduce a plan like this, Portugal being the first in 2016.
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